Golf tee

ABSTRACT

A golf tee includes a stem positionable in or on the ground; and a head connected to the stem for supporting a golf ball. The head is configured to surround and support a portion of the golf ball, including the portion of the ball facing a golf player when positioned to hit the golf ball. The head includes a back portion configured to be impacted by a golf club of the golf player and two side portions extending from the back portion and wrapping around opposite sides of the golf ball to surround up to 180° of the circumference of the golf ball to inhibit side spin of the golf ball upon impact by the golf club. The back portion of the head of the golf tee includes a flat planar element extending substantially across the back portion and configured to provide a visual cue to guide the golf player to square the face of the golf club at impact when striking the golf ball.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/372,074 filed on Apr. 1, 2019 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FORPLAYING TEAM GOLF, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/659,868 filed on Mar. 17, 2015 entitled METHODAND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING TEAM GOLF, which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/967,725 filed on Mar. 25, 2014,all of which applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to a method of playing golf, moreparticularly to an improved method and associated apparatus that enablesa collaborative effort among a group of golfers using one ball per team.

The popularity of golf has been steadily declining. The golf industryhas lost 5 million golf participants over the last 20 years. The numberof golfers in the 18 to 34 age category has dipped 30 percent in thelast 10 years. Golf's decline is predicted to continue because the gameis expensive, time-consuming and difficult to learn. Golfers play golfusing a set of clubs (typically 14 clubs). Because they include so manyclubs, golf club sets are expensive and can be difficult to carry andmanage. The golf industry has tried several initiatives to attractgolfers and make golf easier to learn and play such as Golf 2.0, Golf20/20, Tee it Forward, and increasing the size of the cup on the green.However, these efforts have had limited success.

Accordingly, it is desired to provide an improved method and apparatusfor playing team golf.

It is also desired to provide an improved method and associatedapparatus for playing team golf aimed at increasing the number of newgolf participants and increasing the enjoyment of playing the game.

It is also desired to provide an improved method and associatedapparatus for playing team golf in which the expenses of golf aresubstantially decreased while enhancing the enjoyment of playing golf.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method is disclosed forcollaboratively playing golf in an optional selective shot format by agroup of golf players on a golf course using a novel golf tee, a singleset of golf clubs, and a single golf ball. The golf course comprises aplurality of holes, each hole having at least a tee box and a puttinggreen with a cup. The method includes the steps of: (a) assigning one ormore golf clubs in said single set of golf clubs to be carried and usedby each of said group of golf players; and (b) at each of said pluralityof holes: (i) striking, by one and only one player of said group of golfplayers, the single golf ball at the tee box for the hole using only theone or more golf clubs assigned to that player; (ii) determining whichone and only one of said group of golf players will hit the next shot ofthe single golf ball where it has landed to advance the single golf balltoward the cup for the hole; (iii) striking, by the one and only oneplayer determined in (ii), the single golf ball using only the one ormore golf clubs assigned to that player; and (iv) repeating steps (ii)and (iii) until the single golf ball is in the cup. At least one of thesteps of striking the single golf ball during a round is preceded bypositioning the golf ball on the golf tee. The golf tee comprises a steminsertable into the ground connected to a head for supporting a golfball. The head is configured to surround and support a portion of thegolf ball, including the portion of the ball facing the golf player. Thehead comprises a back portion configured to be impacted by the golf cluband two side portions extending from the back portion and wrappingaround opposite sides of the golf ball to surround up to 180° of thecircumference of the golf ball to inhibit side spin of the golf ballupon impact by the golf club.

In accordance with one or more further embodiments, a novel golf tee isdisclosed comprising a stem positionable on the ground and a headconnected to the stem for supporting a golf ball. The head is configuredto surround and support a portion of the golf ball, including theportion of the ball facing a golf player when positioned to hit the golfball. The head comprises a back portion configured to be impacted by agolf club of the golf player and two side portions extending from theback portion and wrapping around opposite sides of the golf ball tosurround up to 180° of the circumference of the golf ball to inhibitside spin of the golf ball upon impact by the golf club.

To accomplish the foregoing and other objects, features and advantage ofthe present invention there is provided a golf game apparatus that isplayed by a team or at least two separate teams that compete for lowestscore. Each team includes multiple players that each have a playingvenue that progresses along a golf course as the golf game is played,the playing venue being unique to each respective player including theplayers playing space and at which an event occurs of engaging a golfball. Each team has only one set of clubs that include at least onedriver, at least one putter and multiple irons or woods, the set ofclubs being sufficiently complete in order to enable the players of ateam to collectively play a round of golf progressively at successiveholes of the golf course. Each respective player venue includes one ormore of the clubs of the set of clubs, all of the clubs of the set ofclubs of a team being allocated to the respective multiple players of ateam with each team player playing only their allocated club or clubsuntil the team finishes the hole.

In accordance with other aspects of the present invention including atleast first and second respective players each having some, but lessthan all, of the clubs of the set at their respective playing venue; thenumber of players of a team is equal to or less than the number of clubsused in a set; the number of players of a team can be equal to thenumber of clubs used in a set so that each and every player of a teampossesses only one club to be used; for example, there are seven playersand an associated seven clubs; the clubs include a driver, fairway wood,#5 iron, #7 iron, #9 iron, sand wedge and putter; the players haverespective one through seven playing venues; only one ball is used byall players of a team and hit successively by players one through sevenby the player who can hit the appropriate shot from that distance andsituation; wherein, at the beginning of any hole the club or clubs in aplayer's venue is swapped with another player of the same team; one ofthe players on a team is determined to be a team captain; the teamcaptain is typically the player with the lowest handicap; at least someof the players that may carry only a single club will not require anycarry bag; the players of a team include greater than two players eachhaving a playing venue; and each playing venue includes thecorresponding player and the player's club.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a team of seven golfers with a player assigned to thedriver ready to tee off in a method for playing team golf in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates the team on a fairway with the player assigned to the#5 iron hitting the ball in a method for playing team golf in accordancewith one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates the team on the green with the player assigned to theputter putting on the ball in a method for playing team golf inaccordance with one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary golf tee usable in playing team golf inaccordance with one or more embodiments. (The golfer in this figure isshown for illustrative purposes and is not to scale.)

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate various views of the golf tee of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate various views of an alternative exemplary golftee usable in playing team golf in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate various views of an exemplary golf tee usable forpractice in a range mat in accordance with one or more embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate various views of an alternative exemplary golftee usable for practice in a range mat in accordance with one or moreembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a method of playingteam golf, which provides a friendlier, more fun, and less expensive wayto play and learn golf. The team golf method is a collaborative effortamong a team of golfers using a novel golf tee, one golf ball, and onegolf club (or only a few golf clubs) per team member with an optionalselective shot format. The method of playing team golf will increase thenumber of new golf participants and provide a comfortable environmentfor average golfers and non-golfers to learn, enjoy, and more frequentlyplay golf.

The method of playing team golf in accordance with one or moreembodiments is as follows: two teams play against each other on eachhole. Alternatively, more than two teams can compete against each otheron each hole, or one team can play against par for the course. Each teamis made up of at least two players, preferably 4-7 players. In a mostpreferred embodiment, particularly where it is preferred not to have tocarry a golf bag, only one club is assigned to each player.Alternatively, each of the players on a team may be assigned a subset ofthe clubs in a golf set. For instance, each player can be assigned oneto three clubs to use during the round. For instance, if a team has 7players each play be assigned a different one of the following golfclubs: driver, fairway wood, #5 iron, #7 iron, #9 iron, sand wedge, andputter. Each team will only use one ball and play with an optionalselective shot format. Each team can have a captain, who can, e.g., bethe player with the lowest handicap in the team. The novel golf tee(examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5A-5D, and 6A-6D) must beused at least once by a team during a round in accordance with one ormore embodiments. In one or more preferred embodiments, each team mustuse the novel golf tee at least once on each hole during the round. Inaccordance with one or more further preferred embodiments, each teammust use the novel golf tee on all golf shots hit from a tee box or afairway.

Play at each hole starts with one of the players on each team hittingoff the tee. FIG. 1 shows the player with the driver teeing off. Theteam will determine who the best person for the next shot is once theteam reaches the ball. The process will continue for each team until theball is hit into the cup.

A player may hit the ball more than once per hole if needed. Forexample, the best way to approach a short Par 4 hole could be to tee offwith a #5 iron and then hit another #5 iron into the green. In this casethe player assigned the #5 iron club would hit twice on this hole.

However, only one person can hit at a time and from that position. Everyplayer's shot will count towards the team score. This is in contrast toa scramble or other methods and formats, in which multiple players hittheir own ball from the same position and only choose one ball. The restof the three balls are then picked up and will not be included in theteam score.

No golf bags are necessary, because each team member carries only oneclub or very few clubs. A large number of golfers can play at a time.For instance, 14 different golfers can play on the same hole with twoteams of seven players.

Focusing on one club with a team with an optional selective shot formatwill allow players to more easily learn the game and improve theirskills. The format will lead to quicker play because there is no needfor players to select from 14 different clubs. It also does not requireindividual players to buy expensive sets of 14 clubs. The format willespecially encourage beginners, women and juniors to play together withfriends as well as all levels of golfers, yet still in a traditionalway. The golf format will also be more affordable with greens feesexpected to be around $9 per 18 holes, compared to the currentapproximate average of $30.

Friends, co-workers, family and relatives can play together while havingfun and getting exercise and enjoying the scenery of a golf course.Eventually, the team golf method and apparatus will convert more playersto traditional individual golf.

Thus, in accordance with the format of the present invention everymember of the team has an opportunity to practice preferably with asingle club and also preferably with only one shot at a time. This willtend to make that player skillful with that particular club.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, at the beginning ofany particular hole, clubs of a player may be swapped with anotherplayer. In this way, during the playing of the course, players can getaccustomed to using different clubs while all players of the team arestill devoted to attaining the lowest playing score.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a golf gameapparatus that is played by a team or at least two separate teams thatcompete for the lowest score. Each team includes multiple players suchas the players 1-7 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Each of the players isconsidered as having a playing venue. See in FIGS. 1-3 the venue V. Thisplaying venue may be considered as essentially progressing along a golfcourse as the golf game is played. The playing venue V is unique to eachrespective player includes the players' playing space and at which anevent occurs of engaging a golf ball such as shown in any one of FIGS.1-3.

Each team has only one set of clubs that will typically include at leastone driver, at least one putter and multiple irons or woods. The set ofclubs is sufficiently complete in order to enable the players of a teamto collectively play a round of golf progressively at successive holesof the golf course. Each respective player venue includes one or more ofthe clubs of the set of clubs. All of the clubs of the set of clubs of ateam are allocated to the respective players of a team with each teamplayer playing only their allocated club or clubs until the teamfinishes the hole. This is clearly illustrated in the drawings whereineach player is shown as including only a single club. In FIG. 1 thenumber one player is shown teeing off at the course T area. In FIG. 2player number three is shown at its venue at the fairway F location ofthe golf course. Finally, in FIG. 3 the player seven is shown at itsvenue about to engage the golf ball B at the putting green G.

FIGS. 4 and 5A-5D show an exemplary novel golf tee 10 for use in playingteam golf in accordance with one or more embodiments. The golf tee 10comprises an elongate stem 12 (with a pointed tip to ease insertion intothe ground 16) and a head 14 for supporting a golf ball 16. The head 14of the golf tee 10, which is shown in further detail in FIGS. 5A-5D, isa cup-like structure configured to surround and support a substantialportion of the golf ball 16, including the portion of the ball facingthe golfer intended to be struck by a golf club. The head 14 comprises aback portion 18 configured to be impacted by the golf club and two sideportions 20 extending from the back portion 18 and wrapping around thesides of the golf ball 16. The head 14 surrounds a portion of the golfball 16 up to 180° of the circumference of the ball 16. The head 14surrounds the golf ball 16 preferably between 130° to 180°, morepreferably between 140° to 180°, more preferably between 150° to 180°,more preferably between 160° to 180°, and even more preferably between170° to 180° of the circumference of the ball 16.

In use, the golf tee 10 inhibits golf club from directly striking thegolf ball 16. Instead, the golf club strikes the back portion 18 of thehead 14, which supports the ball 16. Because the head 14 substantiallysurrounds the portion of the ball 16 to which the golf club is directed,any misalignment of the golf club relative to the ball 16 at impact willnot impart substantial side spin of the ball, which can result inslicing of the ball out of bounds. The novel golf tee 10 thereby makesit substantially easier to properly hit golf balls, making itparticularly suited for use in team golf, which can be played byinexperienced golfers.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate an exemplary alternative golf tee 24, which issimilar in structure to the golf tee 10, but includes a flat surface 26at the back portion of the head 14 of the tee. The flat surface 26 isconfigured to be impacted by the golf club, and is intended to provide avisual cue to help golfers properly align the face of the golf club atimpact with the ball during the golf swing.

FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate an exemplary golf tee 30 usable for practice in adriving range in a range mat in accordance with one or more embodiments.The golf tee 30 is similar in structure to the golf tee 10, but includesan enlarged stem 32 and base 34 adapted to be held in a driving rangemat.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate another exemplary golf tee 40 usable for practicein a driving range in a range mat in accordance with one or moreembodiments. The golf tee 40 is similar in structure to the golf tee 30,but includes but includes a flat surface 42 at the back portion of thehead of the tee designed to be struck by a golf club.

The golf tees described above can be constructed from a variety ofmaterials including, but not limited to, plastics, rubber, wood, andother materials or combinations thereof.

Having thus described several illustrative embodiments, it is to beappreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvementswill readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations,modifications, and improvements are intended to form a part of thisdisclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure. While some examples presented herein involve specificcombinations of functions or structural elements, it should beunderstood that those functions and elements may be combined in otherways according to the present disclosure to accomplish the same ordifferent objectives. In particular, acts, elements, and featuresdiscussed in connection with one embodiment are not intended to beexcluded from similar or other roles in other embodiments. Accordingly,the foregoing description and attached drawings are by way of exampleonly, and are not intended to be limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf tee, comprising: a stem positionable in oron the ground; and a head connected to the stem for supporting a golfball, wherein the head is configured to surround and support a portionof the golf ball, including the portion of the ball facing a golf playerwhen positioned to hit the golf ball, wherein the head comprises a backportion configured to be impacted by a golf club of the golf player andtwo side portions extending from the back portion and wrapping aroundopposite sides of the golf ball to surround up to 180° of thecircumference of the golf ball to inhibit side spin of the golf ballupon impact by the golf club, wherein the back portion of the head ofthe golf tee includes a flat planar element extending substantiallyacross the back portion and configured to provide a visual cue to guidethe golf player to square the face of the golf club at impact whenstriking the golf ball.
 2. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the head isconfigured to surround a portion of the golf ball between 130° to 180°of the circumference of the golf ball.
 3. The golf tee of claim 1,wherein the head is configured to surround a portion of the golf ballbetween 140° to 180° of the circumference of the golf ball.
 4. The golftee of claim 1, wherein the head is configured to surround a portion ofthe golf ball between 150° to 180° of the circumference of the golfball.
 5. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the head is configured tosurround a portion of the golf ball between 160° to 180° of thecircumference of the golf ball.
 6. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein thehead is configured to surround a portion of the golf ball between 170°to 180° of the circumference of the golf ball.
 7. The golf tee of claim1, wherein a tip of the stem is configured for insertion into theground.
 8. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the golf tee is configuredfor use in a range mat.
 9. The golf tee of claim 1, further comprising aflat base supporting the stem, wherein the golf tee is configured foruse in a range mat.
 10. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the golf tee isconstructed from plastics, rubber, wood, or combinations thereof. 11.The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the golf tee is configured for use in amethod of collaboratively playing golf in an optional selective shotformat by a group of golf players on a golf course using a single set ofgolf clubs, and a single golf ball, the golf course comprising aplurality of holes, each hole having at least a tee box and a puttinggreen with a cup, the method comprising the steps of: (a) assigning oneor more golf clubs in said single set of golf clubs to be carried andused by each of said group of golf players; and (b) at each of saidplurality of holes: (i) striking, by one and only one player of saidgroup of golf players, the single golf ball at the tee box for the holeusing only the one or more golf clubs assigned to that player; (ii)determining which one and only one of said group of golf players willhit the next shot of the single golf ball where it has landed to advancethe single golf ball toward the cup for the hole; (iii) striking, by theone and only one player determined in (ii), the single golf ball usingonly the one or more golf clubs assigned to that player; and (iv)repeating steps (ii) and (iii) until the single golf ball is in the cup,wherein at least one of said steps of striking the single golf ballduring a round is preceded by positioning the golf ball on the golf tee.